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59. Guess I'm Not As Strong As I Thought
Last Updated:
2023-09-24 06:51:53
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The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 60. Nightmare
RomanThe night air is filled with an almost tangible sense of tension and regret, making it almost suffocating to breathe. I am lying down next to Aella, her body seems to be barely there, a mere wisp, and her breathing is shallow and uneven. Days have passed in agonizing silence, days during which she’s hardly uttered a word, days where her eyes speak volumes of her inner torment. I can do nothing but hold her, whisper sweet nothings of assurance that I am here.The disconnect between us is driving me fucking crazy, that space widening with each passing second. I want to scream, kill something, throttle the life out of Vasily for what he’s done to her.But what good will that do? Vasily will be dead, but Aella’s memories won’t be.I’m awake, hyper-aware of every twitch, every small movement that Aella makes beside me. It’s as if my senses are dialed to eleven, each one screaming at me to be prepared, to be ready for anything. I hold her as she fights her demons in her sleep, all w
Last Updated : 2023-09-25The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 61. Taking Back My Voice
AellaIt’s strange how you can share your life with someone and still feel as though there’s an abyss separating you—a chasm widened by fear, doubt, and unspeakable trauma. For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, I actually study my husband.Roman looks so at ease in sleep, his features relaxed, a far cry from the strained mask he wears when awake. Being Alpha, a leader to our pack, carries a weight, a gravity that he rarely shows but is there, lurking in the background. His responsibility doesn’t end there. He’s been the linchpin holding me together since my return—gently caring for me, never pushing, always there.Yet as I observe him, I notice things I never did before: the dark circles under his eyes, growing more pronounced, the beginnings of worry lines creasing his forehead. Time has been unkind to us both in different ways. I’ve been the ghost haunting our lives, a wraith in our own home. And here he is, still steadfast, still waiting.My fingers itch to touch him, t
Last Updated : 2023-09-25The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 62. The First Step
Aella The sun isn’t quite up yet when Roman leaves the bed, slipping out with the feline grace that so contradicts his robust frame. Last night was cathartic, to say the least, and for the first time in weeks, I didn’t wake up with a heavy pressure weighing on my chest. I hear the shower running and contemplate joining Roman, but then I change my mind. I have no idea how I’ll react in there. It’s one thing to say you’re willing to heal, and it’s something else entirely when you put it into motion. So I lay in bed and wait for him to finish in there before I get ready for the day. When he walks out with nothing but a towel draped low across his waist, my heart leaps. It doesn’t matter how many times I see Roman like this, he never fails to make my heart beat like a teenage girl. Gods, he’s beautiful and when he smiles at me, I can feel a blush creeping onto my cheeks. I take it as my cue to run to the bathroom, but when I’m done in there and walk out in my towel, I don’t see him
Last Updated : 2023-09-26The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 63. A Friendly Interrogation
AellaI sit quietly on the couch in Roman’s office, flipping through an old issue of a nature magazine as he pores over some documents at his desk. I’m used to these moments—the weight of his responsibilities as Alpha often leads to late nights and busy mornings. But it’s a life we’ve built together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.“You know, you could make this magazine collection a little more interesting,” I comment, giving him a playful look.He glances up from his work, an amused grin lighting up his face. “What, you’re not enthralled by the mating rituals of the North American beaver?”“Absolutely riveting,” I retort. “But I could use some variety.”The door swings open just as he chuckles, and Kaden steps inside, a solemn expression on his face. “Roman, I’ve got news,” he begins, then spots me on the couch and blanches. “Aella, hey.”“Hey, Kaden,” I greet him, closing the magazine and setting it aside. “What’s up?”Kaden looks at me, no look isn’t the right word, he visi
Last Updated : 2023-09-26The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 64. A Crack On The Surface
AellaThe walk back to the office is a weighted journey, each step heavier than the last. The information that Esteban gave me has caused my mind to start whirling.Vasily’s thirst for power knows no bounds, and it’s disconcerting how easily he’s manipulated Diego. I reach Roman’s office door, taking a deep breath before walking in.Roman and Kaden are deep in deliberation. Their brows are furrowed and the atmosphere is thick with tension. Papers are strewn across Roman’s desk, maps and charts outlining the territories of various packs and cartels. “We can’t just march in there, Ro,” Kaden is saying, pointing at a section on the map that marks the Ladron Cartel’s land. “It’s suicide. They outnumber us.”“I’m aware, but sitting on our hands isn’t an option either,” Roman retorts, raking a hand through his hair, his rings glinting under the light. “If we don’t act, Vasily plays his hand, and we become sitting ducks.”Kaden sighs and leans against the wall. “We need a mole, someone on t
Last Updated : 2023-09-27The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 65. I'm A Fucking Idiot
RomanThe door clicks shut behind Aella, and I’m left standing in the suffocating silence of my office. What the hell just happened? I ask myself this question, but deep down, I know. I saw it—the flash of terror in her eyes, the way she tensed up. How could I be so fucking stupid?She saw Vasily when she looked at me.My fist collides with the wall, a sharp pain radiating up my arm. But it’s a good pain, a welcome distraction from the emotional shitstorm swirling inside me. “Dammit,” I curse under my breath. I should’ve known better. I’ve been an Alpha since I was a pup, raised to read people, to read her. And still, I forget. I forget what she’s been through, the invisible scars Vasily left on her.I flex my hand, testing the knuckles. They’re fine. I’m fine. Except I’m not. None of this is fine. I stand there, my fist aching from the punch, the dent in the wall a testament to my screw-up. “Damn it all,” I mutter, pacing the room. This was supposed to be simple. All my years of
Last Updated : 2023-09-27The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 66. Alpha Javier
Aella Two days later, we find ourselves in a black Escalade, driving toward the restaurant where the meeting is to take place. Roman’s knuckles are white on the steering wheel, and Kaden has an air of alertness that borders on tension. Roman decided to meet Alpha Javier in his own territory as a sign of respect. Both Kaden and I hate this, but Roman was adamant it had to be done. The car is filled with the smell of Roman’s cologne, a woodsy aroma that usually comforts me, but today it seems to amplify the gravity of the situation. “We’ll be alright, Aella,” he says. “Trust me.” Kaden, sitting shotgun, looks over his shoulder and nods in agreement. “We’ve faced worse, right? A sit-down with another Alpha should be a cakewalk.” “I wouldn’t go that far,” Roman murmurs, pulling the Escalade into the valet area. “What are the odds that Javier is setting us up?” I can’t help but ask, breaking the silence that has enveloped the vehicle. “Low, but not non-existent,” Roman answers, ey
Last Updated : 2023-09-28The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 67. A Beta's Sacrifice
AellaAs we walk back to the car, the weight of the new revelations sinks in. “You were almost married off to Diego,” Roman says, his voice bordering on fury knowing I would have been someone else’s. “That fucker Leonardo truly is a snake, no offense, baby.”I shake my head. “And Lily… I can’t believe this is happening to her,” I murmur.“We’ll fix it,” Roman promises, his grip tightening around mine. “I’ll see if I can get her out of there. Fuck knows what’s she’s been through.”The moment we’re sealed inside the Escalade, I can feel the tension rise like steam from a boiling pot. Roman jams the key into the ignition, turning it so violently it’s a wonder the car starts at all. The engine roars to life, but instead of shifting into gear, Roman swivels his head to fix Kaden with an incredulous glare. The tension is palpable; you could cut it with a knife.“What the actual fuck, Kaden? You offer yourself up for marriage like it’s some sort of goddamn business deal? You could’ve at lea
Last Updated : 2023-09-28
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The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna The Beta's Burden
Kaden I’m sitting in my study, surrounded by the leather scent of old books and the muted light filtering through the heavy drapes. The room, once a sanctuary where I buried myself in work and pack matters, now feels like a cage. A trap. I flip through some documents on my desk but don’t really register what they say. My mind is a mess, a whirlwind of thoughts I can’t, and won’t, share with anyone. Especially not Roman. God, Roman. My brother, my closest friend. He seems so happy these days, so settled with Aella and their son. His life has taken a turn for the absolute best, and it stings. Not out of jealousy, I’m thrilled for him, but out of the sharp contrast it creates with my own concealed turmoil. I think about Elena, my wife. She’s beautiful, loving, and loyal to our pack. But she doesn’t know. She can’t know. The secret I’m holding is too damaging, too explosive. It would tear us apart, tear the pack apart. And so, I’ve distanced myself. Retreated into a shell to protect e
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 80. Epilogue - One Year Later
Aella As I stand by the intricately carved crib, my heart swells with a love so fierce it feels like it could consume me whole. I look down at Aaron, our son, sleeping so peacefully in a cocoon of soft, moonlit blankets. His little fists are curled beside his cheek, and he has his father’s rebellious blonde hair and the beginning of my mismatched eyes. The room is filled with the comforting scent of lavender and freshly laundered baby clothes. The light from the nursery’s lamp washes over his tiny form, casting gentle shadows on his crib. I can’t help but think how profoundly my life has shifted in just two years. Nearly two years ago, I was a ball of defiance and fear, literally running through woods and brambles to escape an engagement my Alpha father had orchestrated with Roman. The irony is palpable. Roman was everything I thought I didn’t want, but ended up being everything I didn’t know I needed. I went from clawing at the idea of a life by his side to craving his touch, hi
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 79. Claim For Claim
RomanFour words shouldn’t make me feel like an absolute king, but they do.She shimmies out of her bottoms and walks naked towards the shower to regulate the water. Gods, my cock is aching just watching her. Slipping out of my board shorts, I join her under the spray of hot water and pull her closer to me.There’s no hesitation when I lean down to kiss her. She molds into me, her body perfectly flush against mine as she moans into my mouth. It’s taking every bit of my self control to not snap and just claim her body, but Aella doesn’t need my beast right now. I walk her up against the cold wall and trail my kisses down the length of her neck. “I love your sweet scent, baby,” I murmur against her skin. “God, I could drown in you forever.”She makes a small noise when I draw a pebbled nipple into my mouth, and pushes out her chest as her hands get tangled in my hair. I cup her perfect tits in my hands, laving them with my tongue and loving the noises she makes when I nibble on them.
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 78. Restless Alpha
RomanThe goddamn sound of waves lightly bitch-slapping the shore should be soothing. It’s what people fantasize about—a secluded beach, the woman you’re batshit in love with beside you, the freedom to do nothing at all. Aella looks like she’s in fucking heaven, the sun on her skin, a gentle smile on her lips, a book lying forgotten on her lap. But me? I’m crawling out of my damn skin.And yet, I’m restless. Why the fuck can’t I just relax?Aella senses it before I even realize it myself. She opens her eyes and looks at me, her gaze soft but probing. “You’re thinking about something. Spill it.”I chuckle. “It’s nothing, really. Just getting a bit antsy, I suppose.”“Roman, we’re on vacation. You’re allowed to relax, you know?”I nod, knowing she’s right, but not feeling any less restless. “I know. It’s just not something I’m accustomed to, that’s all.”The ingrained habits of an Alpha, the constant state of alertness and readiness, they don’t just disappear overnight. They’re a part
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 77. Isle Nikolaev
AellaThe hum of the private jet’s engines seems to blend into the background, like white noise in a sea of my restless thoughts. Roman sits across from me, in a seat made of the finest leather money can buy, absorbed in some files on his tablet. The rich interior of the jet, with its ambient mood lighting and plush furnishings, contrasts sharply with the tension I feel in my bones.“Would you like another glass of wine, Luna?” the flight attendant offers, her voice polished as the silver tray she’s holding.I shake my head. “No, thank you.”As she retreats, Roman finally looks up, his stormy eyes meeting mine. “You’re not usually this quiet,” he observes.“Well,” I say, biting the inside of my cheek, “you’re not usually this secretive. Where are we going?”He grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “It’s a surprise.”“I’m not particularly fond of surprises,” I retort, although a part of me thrills at the mystery.“You’ll like this one,” he promises. His eyes darken a shade, and I
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 76. The Gathering Storm
AellaWe step out of the hospital and as I spot the black SUV, it takes me back to my time spent here. More specifically, when Roman finally confessed his feelings to me. It was sort of a simpler time back then.Before Vasily, before…everything else.“What’s on your mind, little bird,” he asks as he takes my hand and draws it to his lips. “You’ve been quiet, even as I went off at the nurses.”I chuckle. “That was just me letting you have your own way after everything that happened,” I say, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. “Kaden’s message over the mind link just had me reeling.”Roman sighs, because I know he’s already so pissed off and now he has to face Diego. Alpha Javier is at the pack house with Kaden and Elena and has demanded his son answer to Roman.“Yeah, well I suppose he has to face the music sometime,” he says, sitting back and shaking his head. “As much as I just want to fucking sleep, it needs to be done.”We remain quiet for the rest of the ride, but as soon as th
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 75. The Aftermath
RomanSitting in the hospital room, I still feel the residual ache from the fight, both physical and emotional. My mind plays back the confrontation with Vasily, a twisted dance that was always leading to this dark aftermath. What he said in Russian through clenched teeth left me shaken. Now that Aella is gone, I feel it’s time to share it with Kaden.“I never thought it would come to this, Kade,” I say, the words coming out heavier than I intend.Kaden leans back in the visitor chair, his eyes locked onto mine, searching for something—perhaps reassurance that what’s been done was necessary. “You did what you had to, Ro. If you hadn’t, more lives would have been at stake.”“Yeah, but Vasily said something,” I start, hesitating a little. “He said things about father that I think you should know.”Kaden raises an eyebrow, intrigued but also wary. “What did he say?”I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the weight of the words I’m about to unleash. “Do you remember the night Father
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 74. To Protect My Pack
AellaThe sterile smell of antiseptics fills the air, mingling with the earthy scent that is uniquely Roman. Even unconscious, he smells like the forest, like the wilderness we both call home. My hand finds his, dwarfed by the size of his palm, but perfectly molded to fit. I’m holding onto him as if he’s my anchor, the one constant in a world that has spiraled so far from what I knew.I replay the night over and over again in my head. The tension in the room, the way Roman’s eyes narrowed as he exchanged words with Vasily in rapid Russian. I couldn’t understand the words, but the intent was palpable—two titans locked in a battle of wills and strength. And I’d stood there, unable to do anything but watch and hope that Roman would come out unscathed. My heart aches at the thought. What was so personal that it had to be shrouded in their mother tongue? Was it just a string of profanities or something deeper? A sharing of old wounds and familial grievances that led them to this terribl
The Alpha's Bounty: His Runaway Luna 73. True Alpha
RomanThe second Vasily had his hands on Aella, my world went red. The ground beneath my feet might as well have been ripped away, because for a brief second, I’m free-falling into a chasm of self-doubt and gut-wrenching fear.I had to keep my wits about me. I had to be smart. Because this wasn’t just about me—this was about Aella, my pack, and a future that Vasily was hell-bent on destroying.“Is this what an Alpha looks like?” I can almost hear Vasily’s voice sneering in my head. “Can’t even protect his own mate?” And for a devastating moment, I almost agree with him.I’ve spent years trying to prove that I was worthy of the Alpha title, not just to my pack, but to myself. Yet here I am, watching the woman I love being tormented by my own flesh and blood. It’s a cruel mirror, reflecting my deepest insecurities, mocking my so-called ‘strength.’Aella’s face is pale, eyes widened in terror, but even from this distance, I can see a flicker of defiance in them. It fuels me, but it also
